As I began looking at the Carolingian Manuscripts, I noticed that there was repeating patterns and different colors used in the graphics. The colors were not as bright as I would like to see them. The graphics were used to draw your eye across the page to different aspects of the design. The example that I found for contrast was in the size of font used. The large I font with the smaller N font adds contrast to this piece. The colors used in the other two dominant words backgrounds added contrast as well. The use of duck heads on the N and not on the I add additional contrast to this graphic. The repetition used in this piece came from the use of patterns in the top, bottom, and side pieces of the graphic. The blue color used in each of the pictures on the corner of the design also adds repetition to this piece. The alignment of this graphic comes from the straight columns on each side of the graphic and on the top and bottom as well. The alignment of the four pictures in each corner adds another element to this graphic. The direction that the individuals are facing inward in each portrait also adds a sense of alignment to this design. The proximity that I found in this graphic was how the letters that are similar in color are close together. The additional words are grouped at the bottom in different colors instead of with the much larger fonts. The author/artist used to different techniques to assist the viewer in understanding the importance of this manuscript but using the different sizes and types of fonts throughout the piece. The pictures that were added had an individual either reading or writing a manuscript. Each one has a light glow around their heads. This element to me meant that they were reading or writing about their gods. I found this graphic very interesting and full of design elements.
Carolingian Manuscripts, France, 7th to 10th Centuries